Magnum Research BFR; worth a darn?

[Blackhawker]

Has anyone had any experience with the Magnum Research BFR's?  Personally, I've never seen one in a store so I've never had the opportunity to hold and inspect one, much less know how they perform. 

[ole 5 hole group]

The BFR is a great revolver for the money.  I have 2, both from their precision shop.  It’s hard to match their quality for the price.  Their customer service is second to none in my experience. 

They are larger (heavier) than your “custom” Rugers but a lot cheaper.  They aren’t as tight as a FA and don’t have that “feel” of an FA but they also don’t come with that hefty price tag of an FA either.  Their cylinders are all 17-4 stainless steel 5 holers.  The grips are very similar to a SBH and come with rubber bumper grips, which work just fine.  They will send 3 different front sight heights, so you can select what works best for your load.

Starting this month the 500JRH (standard cylinder) will be a production caliber and not an exclusive precision center order, which will save you some bucks, if you intend to go that big.  The 500 Smith only comes in the 45/70 cylinder and that is one big puppy.

The accuracy is superb and I haven’t heard of anyone complaining.  Their 475 Linebaugh has a 1:15 twist rate, which I think is “just right” compared to most “customs” with a 1:18 twist.

I'm very happy with mine for whatever that's worth. 

[Blackhawker]

Hey, thanks for the reply.  I wasn't sure if too many, if any people had one of these revolvers.  Ironically, you have TWO!  I read some reviews in some other forums and I never heard anything bad about them....pretty much most of the people that posted in such forums argued back and forth over which caliber was heavier, stronger, bigger, etc.  Not really what I care about nor care to read about.....I'm more interested in the firearm quality etc, as you have posted and not how rough and tough a given caliber is.  Besides, I already have my select picks of what I'd like to shoot; 45-70, 460 S&W, 454 Casull, or 480 Ruger.....probably in that order. 

Thanks again for your post.  It's good to hear good feedback such as yours.

[mrussel]

Hey, thanks for the reply.  I wasn't sure if too many, if any people had one of these revolvers.  Ironically, you have TWO!  I read some reviews in some other forums and I never heard anything bad about them....pretty much most of the people that posted in such forums argued back and forth over which caliber was heavier, stronger, bigger, etc.  Not really what I care about nor care to read about.....I'm more interested in the firearm quality etc, as you have posted and not how rough and tough a given caliber is.  Besides, I already have my select picks of what I'd like to shoot; 45-70, 460 S&W, 454 Casull, or 480 Ruger.....probably in that order. 

Thanks again for your post.  It's good to hear good feedback such as yours.

 I handled one in 45lc/410 (im not sure why you would want one in that rather than 460 S&W but I guess someone did) and I was surprised at how much lighter it was than I expected. I expected it to be so big and heavy that it was impractical to carry but it seemed fine. I was really impressed. I wouldnt want one in the 45LC but Im pretty much sold on getting one in perhaps 45/70 or one of the other heavier calibers.

[purplehaze92z28]

Awsome is all I can say about the BFR, I have one in 475 Linebaugh with a Leupold scope, secured by Weigand base, and 3 ring set up. 50 yards, raged one hole group, 100 yards opens up to about 1 1/2". Very tight, and the weight makes it nice to handle the heavy loads.

[Blackhawker]

Awsome is all I can say about the BFR, I have one in 475 Linebaugh with a Leupold scope, secured by Weigand base, and 3 ring set up. 50 yards, raged one hole group, 100 yards opens up to about 1 1/2". Very tight, and the weight makes it nice to handle the heavy loads.

WOW...now that's what I like to hear!   

[Chas.]

I have one in 45-70 10-inch and another in 7.5-inch.  Very happy with both, however, the grips tend to gnaw at my hand a bit with the 7.5-inch.  I guess it's because it's a bit lighter than the 10-inch.  I don't think I could shoot the heaviest of loads with either - xxgr. of H4198 with a 535gr. Postell is as heavy as I would want to go.  But don't try fanning it.  xxgr. of 2400 with a 300gr. RNFP I can shoot all day.

EDIT: Powder loads removed per the rules.

[mk454]

yup, got my son a 454 casull.  very accurate, not a great trigger on arrival but nothing in that price range except a smith does.  that said, it's got a good twist rate for heavy bullets not run full bore.  groups 400 grain bullets at a leisurely pace about 1200 fps very very well.  bigger than a FA, to me, noticeably less recoil.  i have 3 FA in the same caliber.  i really want a custom shop octagon barreled 454 with the white micarta grips.  very very good product for the money, not the fit and finish of FA, but really and truly just as accurate imho.  the 45/70's and 444 marlins are notably accurate.

[Jack Magnum]

Awsome is all I can say about the BFR, I have one in 475 Linebaugh with a Leupold scope, secured by Weigand base, and 3 ring set up. 50 yards, raged one hole group, 100 yards opens up to about 1 1/2". Very tight, and the weight makes it nice to handle the heavy loads.

WOW...now that's what I like to hear!   

I have a BFR 45-70 in the 7 1/2 '' barrel.......I'll say one thing,Very accurate and shooting off the bench have no probably with 1 1/2'' groups @100yds & actually less bite than my 4'' S&W 44mag...... Only one negative that I have encountered...The rod that goes thru the cylinder has a flat head set screw & I've had it loosen up & lock up my cylinder when you cock it.... I carry a small screw driver just in case.....I wonder if anybody else has this problem?

[Chas.]

I haven't had that problem, but I crank mine down pretty good whenever I put the base pin back in.

[ole 5 hole group]

You might want to take a look at your set-screw – what you’re describing should never happen with a BFR, as the set-screw would have to make about 1.5 revolutions for the base pin to move. 

When you insert the base pin you may have to move it either left or right just a tad to get the set-screw to fit in the notch correctly and you’ll be able to tell when the set-screw finds the “route”.  If the set-screw isn’t in the notch – I guess it would be possible the base pin could move.

If you haven’t been getting the set-screw aligned with the notch (small divot in the barrel) it’s possible that you could have torqued the set-screw on the barrel hard enough to spring the base pin a tad and that could possibly cause interference with the cylinder.  (It's not very likely you sprung the base pin but it could be a very remote possibility.)  Just make sure the set-screw is seated properly in the notch and you shouldn't see that problem.  The ejector rod housing is epoxy on, so you can't remove it to see if you have been a little off target with your set-screw.

If the problem persists  just call BFR at the Pillager, MN plant and they will take care of the problem. 

[Chas.]

old 5 hole group, what you say is pretty much correct. 

The transfer bar is made to rise whenever the hammer is pulled back.  On mine, the divot that you mention is actually elongated.  If the base pin moves the least bit forward in the divot, the spring-loaded plunger in the end of the base pin releases pressure on the transfer bar and allows it (the transfer bar) to jam under the firing pin when cocking.  That is the only scenario I could imaging that is causing his problem.  Not that the base pin is coming out, but is slightly moving forward, releasing pressure on the transfer bar.  If the the gun is pointed skyward and jarred a bit, the transfer bar can flop back, allowing it to be cocked.  Just my thoughts.